Recently posted. Somebody help me here, is AA allowed to work out / practice with the team? If not when can he begin? Thanks.

FOXBOROUGH -- Rookie defensive lineman Michael Buchanan was back at Patriots practice, one day after a non-injury-related reason caused him to miss Wednesday's workout.

Another rookie, linebacker Jamie Collins, was not spotted in the portion of practice made accessible to the media. He was not listed on Wednesday's injury report. Two players who were -- running back Leon Washington (ankle) and defensive tackle Tommy Kelly (knee) -- were also not spotted. Both players left Sunday's game at Cincinnati with injuries.

Players were in sweats and shells.

Two other injured Patriots were spotted working out on another field. Running back Shane Vereen broke his wrist in the season-opening win at Buffalo, and was placed on the injured reserve list with a designation to return. He still has a brace on the wrist, and is eligible to return no sooner than the Nov. 18 game at Carolina. He was joined by defensive lineman Armond Armstead, who is on the non-football-injury list.

So, he can only practice 3 weeks and then play? He can't practice next week and then play immediately?

This is from ESPN's Mike Sando on July 27th:

The NFL has changed its rules regarding physically unable to perform (PUP) lists, giving players additional time to recover from injuries.

We discussed the proposed changes in March and the NFL has confirmed that the changes went into effect last week.

The new language reads as follows:

Commencing on the day after the conclusion of the sixth regular season weekend (October 15) and continuing through the day after the conclusion of the 11th regular season weekend (November 19), clubs are permitted to begin practicing players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform for a period not to exceed 21 calendar days. Pads and helmets are permitted during the 21-day period. At any time during the 21-day practice period, or prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period, clubs are permitted to restore such players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to their Active/Inactive List.

Before the change, players on PUP lists had until the ninth regular-season weekend instead of the 11th to resume practicing. The change means teams can now push back by two weeks the opening of the 21-day practice period. A player on the PUP list entering the regular season could make his regular-season debut as early as Week 7 or as late as Week 15 under the new rules.

Cool yeah. He can be activated, I believe as soon as the game ends on Sunday I guess. PUP is after Week 6 which is Sunday, if I am not mistaken.

We'll know soon.

I've mentioned this before, but he's been in all the meetings all the way through, so if he was not going to play this season, you'd think he wouldn't necessarily be doing that.

I would assume he would be in meetings no matter what. You are correct. Players can come off the PUP after game 6.

I am not sure that is always the case with players who may have been put on a PUP and then the team would realize that player's rehab was not going well with a final designation of IR after Week 6.

I get he is under contract next year, but if you combine that info with he and Vereen doing conditioning drills on a separate field, it would lead one to believe the Armstead infection issue is cleared and he can start practicing next week.

If his health was still an issue, I doubt they'd be wasting their team coaching him up in meetings, etc, where he'd be off getting professional treatment for his health, elswhere instead.

I think they knew they could be 4-2 or 5-1 by Week 6 and to go conservative with his infection setback.

Whether or not they deem him game ready for Week 7 or not will be another story completely.

We don't know how involved he is in meetings. Is he heavily involved or just in the room so he knows what is happening. Injured guys doing condition on a seperate field is normal. Since the cannot "practice" with the team, it is one of the ways you still workout and do not get in trouble with the NFL.

The fact is, since the Pats are the way they are with injuries, we have no idea what Armstead's status is. Honestly, it would not surprise to hear he is in full pads next, nor would surprise if he went on season ending IR on Monday. BB is certainly not going to tell us...

We don't know how involved he is in meetings. Is he heavily involved or just in the room so he knows what is happening. Injured guys doing condition on a seperate field is normal. Since the cannot "practice" with the team, it is one of the ways you still workout and do not get in trouble with the NFL.

The fact is, since the Pats are the way they are with injuries, we have no idea what Armstead's status is. Honestly, it would not surprise to hear he is in full pads next, nor would surprise if he went on season ending IR on Monday. BB is certainly not going to tell us...

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^This basically. I dont why folks are getting excited cuz a guy was spotted on an opposite field riding an excercise bike. This just probably means his infection finally cleared up and he can be around his teamates without them catching anything. Once he starts practicing, you can count off 3 weeks from there and hope is ready. I dont even think Ive seen this guy yet. He doesnt exist to me...

Armond Armstead is on the NFI (non-football injury list). He can be activated following Sunday's game. Armstead has been to all the defensive meetings all year. He knows our plans and strategies. He must be getting in shape on his own. I expect a good week of practice from him next week and an active spot against the Jets. He can contribute if he is in football shape. He's been around the team all season, i cant wait for his return.

Armstead's heart condition is old news at this time. Armond Armstead has (or recently had, we hope) MRSA, an infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Sometimes time, good health and possibly hyperbaric oxygen sessions clear up MRSA infections.

I believe that Armstead is an inside pass-rush specialist. He works pretty cheap, but he signed for a bit more than JAG money. $600k is guaranteed money for him.

The Patriots also just signed some other JAG, Neblett, who is a run-only nose tackle specialist. He's not as big, as maneuverable or as strong as Vince Wilfork by far, but at least he can push back somewhat. Someone please get Mr. Neblett a big pan of lasagna because he's a bit undersized for a Patriots nose.

Thanks, G047, but isn't that the in-season new PUP list which is different than the preseason one?

Yes I believe it is but either way here's what the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reported this moring in the Patriot Notebook:

Help on way

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/10/notebook_rob_gronkowski_in_a_days#sthash.vslhyWzb.dpuf

Help on way

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/10/notebook_rob_gronkowski_in_a_days#sthash.vslhyWzb.dpuf

Help on way

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/10/notebook_rob_gronkowski_in_a_days#sthash.vslhyWzb.dpuf

Help on way

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/10/notebook_rob_gronkowski_in_a_days#sthash.vslhyWzb.dpuf

elp on way

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/10/notebook_rob_gronkowski_in_a_days#sthash.0YJUncy8.dpuf

elp on way

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/10/notebook_rob_gronkowski_in_a_days#sthash.0YJUncy8.dpuf

Help on way

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2013/10/notebook_rob_gronkowski_in_a_days#sthash.vslhyWzb.dpuf

Rookie defensive lineman Armond Armstead worked out on an adjacent field during practice, which marked the first time he had been seen doing any physical activity during media access since training camp opened.

Armstead is on the non-football illness list due to an infection and is eligible to return as early as next week. He can begin practicing during any point from Weeks 7-9, and the Patriots will have three weeks from his on-field debut to either activate him or end his season. There is a feeling of optimism that Armstead will be able to contribute this season.

The Pats obviously need him. Armstead can play anywhere up front except nose tackle, and he’d help out a group of interior linemen who include Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Chris Jones and Andre Neblett, who was signed Wednesday. However, Kelly hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury, leaving his status for Sunday in question.

Armstead's heart condition is old news at this time. Armond Armstead has (or recently had, we hope) MRSA, an infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Sometimes time, good health and possibly hyperbaric oxygen sessions clear up MRSA infections.

I believe that Armstead is an inside pass-rush specialist. He works pretty cheap, but he signed for a bit more than JAG money. $600k is guaranteed money for him.

The Patriots also just signed some other JAG, Neblett, who is a run-only nose tackle specialist. He's not as big, as maneuverable or as strong as Vince Wilfork by far, but at least he can push back somewhat. Someone please get Mr. Neblett a big pan of lasagna because he's a bit undersized for a Patriots nose.

Whatever is up with him, I hope he is working out at least so he doesn't get into a game and then go down with something else. NT is a brutal position to play. Get him good and ready. meanwhile , get your other guys valuable reps, and hope they improve as well.

This is a little similar to Gronk situation where there is extra anxiety to get him back to save the day , so to speak. Not buying that. Work them in slowly and surely.